If you look a few posts back, you will see that we were excited to announce that Christopher had won an iPad2 and $500 worth of apps. If have been anywhere in the Special Needs community lately, you know that the worst kept secret around is that this entire thing was a mess.
Mike, the author over at Marissa's Bunny, was the mastermind behind the whole thing. Frankly, I'm too tired to speculate WHY he did it, or the ins and outs of the whole thing. I am leaving the link to Marissa's Bunny over on the side of the page. You can go and read if you are interested.
What we DO know is that this person had no business collecting money on any body's behalf - let alone a charity that ended up not existing. We also know that at least 40 Special Needs families have been affected by this.
Forty families, like us, have planned therapy services, education plans, and even the chance to hear what their child is thinking on getting these devices. For us, we planned on using the iPad instead of purchasing a communication device that costs between $6000 and $10,000, depending on accessories and software. We have a limited amount that we can spend on Durable Medical Equipment per year. Those things include standers, AFO's, Gait Trainers, Communication Devices, Bath Chairs, Etc.
Because Christopher is doing so well in his rehab after his surgery, we have a LOT of equipment that is needed. Equipment that we never thought he would use. Now we are faced with deciding what we are going to do this year - get him standing and potentially walking? Potty training? New Special Needs Car seat? or allow him to communicate on his own for the first time in 7 years?
What ever happens, Christopher will get what he needs in the end - legally! We'll figure it out and move on.
As for him, there is an investigation on-going. We will let the authorities do what they are going to do. I have to assume that his life is going to be not very pleasant in the near future. He will be looking over his shoulder for awhile yet.
If you want to read more about it, you can go on over to
Love That Max. Be sure to read the comments section, as it includes comments from Mike himself and a copy of the last e-mail he just sent trying to distance himself from the situation and confirming that there are no iPads.
If anybody out there reading this and was one of the original winners of the iPad, please head over to our friend Heather's blog,
Little Wonders. She and a few others are going to try to get these kids what they were promised (the iPads), but they need verification of the winners. Even THAT has come under question.
This has been going on for many weeks. I have gone back and forth from being mad to hopeful, to suspicious, now just plain disgusted. There are lessons here for all, and opportunity for many others. It is still a sad day in the Special Needs community to think that one of our own (if he IS the parent of Marissa), has targeted our own community for a scam and used his kids to do it.
Stephanie
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